'FNC deepens the culture of participation'

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has said that opening of the first ordinary session of the 15th legislative chapter of the Federal National Council (FNC) is a successful enthronement for the second phase in our course to deepen the culture of participation and develop its practices which we have taken with full national will and we are determined to move forward to achieve the aspirations of our people in a homeland to share and be proud to live in and belonging to it because empowerment is the spirit of the Union.

He made these remarks during the opening of the first ordinary session of the 15th legislative chapter of the Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Also present were Their Highnesses, Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the emirates; His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain and His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The opening ceremony was also attended by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region.

Full text of the President's Speech

On this day where we are opening the first ordinary session of the 15th legislative chapter of the Federal National Council (FNC) with larger representation and greater ability to perform its functions, We congratulate you as you received the confidence of the people and support of the leadership and remind you that the membership of the National Council is not a privilege or societal relevance but it is an arduous responsibility of those who have put confidence and nominated you, they have high hope and expectations from you ..... come up to this confidence and commit yourselves to the interest of the nation and the interests of citizens and you will have our full support in this endeavor.

Your convening today is a successful enthronement for the second phase in our course to deepen the culture of participation and develop its practices which we have taken with full national will and we are determined to move forward to achieve the aspirations of our people in a homeland to share and be proud to live in and belonging to it because empowerment is the spirit of the Union.

Our country has made big strides in all fields and has become a role model for others to follow in meeting challenges, thanks to the loyalty of its sons and daughters and their sincere efforts, the effectiveness of its institutions, systems and laws and its wise internal and external policies, which strengthened our position among nations. And in achieving this your council played an appreciative role and we are in full consent with what it has earned during the past fourteen chapters as it worked in complete harmony and effective cooperation with the executive council, and consolidated the consultation approach and enhanced practices of accountability, transparency and strengthened the values of loyalty and belonging and national cohesion and we are waiting for more effective role in its 15th chapter.

We are praying for your success, you should discharge your national responsibilities with trust representing the nation in all its components and classes and aspirations defending the state participating in building its civilized image, adhering to the national values, contributing in the state's efforts to enable citizens to play a more positive and effective role in the society and public life.

May Allah bless you with success.

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Al Mur is new FNC chairman  

Member of the UAE's Federal National Council Mohammed Ahmed Al Mur on Tuesday was selected as the new chairman of the body by acclamation at its first session of the 15th legislative chapter.

Also, FNC member Dr Amal Al Qubaisi was selected as FNC Deputy Speaker and became the first women in the Gulf to assume this position.

Al Mur who becomes the first man-of-letters to head the body and its eighth chairman, was born in Dubai, 1955, graduated from Syracuse University, New York, U.S.A. with a degree in political science.

Previously, Al Mur was Editor-in-Chief of Al Bayan newspaper and Khaleej Times, chaired, among other bodies, the Dubai Cultural Council and is currently deputy chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

Al Qubaisi was the first woman in the UAE to be elected to FNC membership in the previous session of the council. She chaired the FNC's Committee on Education, Information, Youth and Culture. Al Qubaisi who holds a PhD in architecture and worked as professor for six years at the UAE University, also chaired the Committee on Working Women and was a member of the National Strategy on Motherhood and Childhood.

She dedicated the win to H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women Union (GWU) and Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).

She expressed pride in the fact that the UAE is the first Gulf country to give a woman the position of deputy speaker of a representative body.

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